Anti-discrimination bill is a no-brainer
There isn’t much that the commonwealth’s elected leaders can agree on these days, but five area legislators found a little common ground last week with initial support of an anti-discrimination bill.
The proposed Pennsylvania Fairness Act, introduced on Wednesday by state senators and representatives in both parties, would expand the current nondiscrimination law to include people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
The current law passed 60 years ago – when times were much different – and ensures all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, sex, national origin and disability, cannot be discriminated against for any reason. But it is still legal to terminate an employee or deny housing and business services to someone on the basis of being gay or transgender.
Many people would probably be surprised that this is still allowed, especially in light of the widespread acceptance of same-sex marriage.
Democratic representatives Pete Daley, Pam Snyder and Brandon Neuman, and Republican state Rep. Jim Christiana all pledged their support for the legislation. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, said she agreed that individuals should not be discriminated against based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, but she wanted time to review the proposal before making a final decision.
That support is in line with a recent poll that showed 78 percent of Pennsylvania residents support similar protections for gay and transgender people.
It seems like a no-brainer that legislation should be passed to protect the civil rights of all the commonwealth’s citizens against discrimination.
It’s a pity that Republican state representatives Jason Ortitay, Rick Saccone and John Maher did not make themselves available in time to discuss their thoughts on this legislation for a story that appeared in the Observer-Reporter Friday.
Their constituents deserve to hear their positions on this important issue.